# Bam Knight

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**Zonovan** "**Bam**" **Knight** (born April 11, 2001) is an American professional [football](/source/American_football) [running back](/source/Running_back) and [kickoff returner](/source/Kickoff_returner) for the [Arizona Cardinals](/source/Arizona_Cardinals) of the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). He played [college football](/source/College_football) for the [NC State Wolfpack](/source/NC_State_Wolfpack_football).

## Early life

Knight attended [Southern Nash High School](/source/Southern_Nash_High_School) in [Bailey, North Carolina](/source/Bailey,_North_Carolina).[1] During his high school career, he had a school record 5,073 rushing yards and 71 [touchdowns](/source/Touchdowns).[2] He committed to [North Carolina State University](/source/North_Carolina_State_University) to play [college football](/source/College_football).[3][4]

## College career

As a true freshman at NC State in [2019](/source/2019_NC_State_Wolfpack_football_team), Knight started seven games and led the team with 745 yards on 136 carries with five touchdowns.[5] In [2020](/source/2020_NC_State_Wolfpack_football_team), he again led the team with 788 yards on 143 carries with 10 touchdowns.[6] He returned to NC State as the starter in [2021](/source/2021_NC_State_Wolfpack_football_team).

## Professional career

### New York Jets

Knight signed with the [New York Jets](/source/New_York_Jets) as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022.[7] He made the Jets' initial 53-man roster on August 30.[8] Knight was waived by New York on September 5.[9] He was re-signed to the team's [practice squad](/source/Practice_squad) the next day.[10] Knight was promoted to the active roster on October 25.[11] Knight made his NFL debut on November 27 against the [Chicago Bears](/source/2022_Chicago_Bears_season), where he set a new franchise record with 103 yards from scrimmage in his debut, including 69 rushing yards.[12]

Knight was waived by the Jets as part of final roster cuts on August 28, 2023.[13]

### Detroit Lions

On August 30, 2023, Knight was signed to the [Detroit Lions](/source/Detroit_Lions)' practice squad.[14] On September 19, Knight was signed to the active roster.[15] He was placed on [injured reserve](/source/Injured_reserve) on October 14.[16]

On August 27, 2024, Knight was released by the Lions.[17]

### New York Jets (second stint)

On November 26, 2024, Knight was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.[18]

### Arizona Cardinals

On January 7, 2025, Knight signed a reserve/future contract with the [Arizona Cardinals](/source/Arizona_Cardinals).[19] On August 26, he made the Cardinals' initial 53-man roster as a kick returner. Following injuries to [James Conner](/source/James_Conner_(American_football)), [Trey Benson](/source/Trey_Benson), and [Emari Demercado](/source/Emari_Demercado), Knight stepped in as the number one running back on the team. On December 16, Knight was placed on [injured reserve](/source/Injured_reserve_list) due to a season-ending ankle injury suffered in Week 15 against the [Houston Texans](/source/2025_Houston_Texans_season).[20] He finished the season with 269 rushing yards and four touchdowns through 12 games and eight starts.

On March 12, 2026, Knight re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year contract.[21]

## NFL career statistics

Legend Bold Career high

### Regular season

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost 2022 NYJ 7 4 85 300 3.5 48 1 13 100 7.7 16 0 2 1 2023 DET 2 0 3 13 4.3 8 0 1 8 8.0 8 0 0 0 2025 ARI 12 8 82 269 3.3 17 4 22 160 7.3 20 1 1 1 Career 21 12 170 582 3.4 48 5 36 268 7.4 20 1 3 2

### Special teams

Year Team Games Punt returns Kick returns GP GS Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD 2022 NYJ 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 18.0 18 0 2023 DET 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 22 22.0 22 0 2025 ARI 12 8 0 0 0 0 0 12 256 21.3 28 0 Career 21 12 0 0 0 0 0 14 296 21.1 28 0

## References

1. Stout, Jon (January 17, 2018). ["Recruitment ramping up for Southern Nash's Zonovan Knight"](https://www.highschoolot.com/recruitment-ramping-up-for-southern-nash-s-zonovan-knight/17267349/). *High School OT*. Retrieved February 2, 2023.

1. Thompson, David (August 5, 2021). ["How did NC State football RB Zonovan 'Bam' Knight get his nickname? It's a cute story"](https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/2021/08/05/how-did-nc-state-football-running-back-zonovan-bam-knight-get-his-nickname/5501230001/). *The Fayetteville Observer*. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

1. Smith, R. Cory (July 9, 2018). ["Top NC RB Zonovan Knight commits to NC State for 2019 class"](https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina-state/article/top-nc-rb-zonovan-knight-commits-to-nc-state-wolfpack-for-2019-f-119061940/). *247Sports*. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. ["Southern Nash standout RB Zonovan Knight commits to NC State"](https://www.highschoolot.com/southern-nash-standout-rb-zonovan-knight-commits-to-/17685118/). *High School OT*. July 9, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. Durham, Paul (September 17, 2020). ["Former Firebird ready for more: 'Bam' Knight takes field after breakout rookie season at NC State"](https://southernnashnews.com/former-firebird-ready-for-more-bam-knight-takes-field-after-breakout-roo-p2290-163.htm). *Southern Nash News*. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. Pope IV, Jonas (July 27, 2021). ["N.C. State's Bam Knight is healthy, and motivated, which is good news for the Wolfpack"](https://greensboro.com/sports/n-c-states-bam-knight-is-healthy-and-motivated-which-is-good-news-for-the/article_234ef379-ce47-5911-bc2f-d37e72e751c1.html). *Greensboro News and Record*. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. Robinson, Sam (May 6, 2022). ["Jets Sign 5 Undrafted Free Agents"](https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/05/jets-sign-5-undrafted-free-agents). *Pro Football Rumors*. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. Lange, Randy & Greenberg, Ethan (August 30, 2022). ["Final Cuts: Jets Move 27 Players to Trim Roster to NFL's 53-Man Limit"](https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2022-season). *NewYorkJets.com*. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. Butchko, John (September 5, 2022). ["Jets Bring Back Conor McDermott; Waive Zonovan Knight"](https://www.ganggreennation.com/2022/9/5/23338410/jets-bring-back-conor-mcdermott-waive-zonovan-knight). *Gang Green Nation*. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

1. Greenberg, Ethan (September 6, 2022). ["Jets Sign 3 Players to Practice Squad"](https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-3-players-to-practice-squad-x3106). *NewYorkJets.com*. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

1. Greenberg, Ethan (October 25, 2022). ["Jets Place RB Breece Hall and OL Alijah Vera-Tucker on Injured Reserve"](https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-breece-hall-and-alijah-vera-tucker-injured-reserve-sign-zonovan-knight). *NewYorkJets.com*. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

1. Goodman, Max (November 27, 2022). ["Jets' Rookie Helps to Revive Run Game With Historic Debut"](https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/news/new-york-jets-rookie-zonovan-knight-revives-running-game-nfl-debut-against-chicago-bears). *Jets Nation*. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

1. Ehalt, Matt (August 28, 2023). ["Jets cut Zonovan ‘Bam’ Knight in Dalvin Cook roster casualty"](https://nypost.com/2023/08/28/jets-cut-zonovan-knight-as-53-man-roster-takes-shape/). *New York Post*. Retrieved August 30, 2023.

1. Raven, Benjamin (August 31, 2023). ["Lions add kicker Michael Badgley, running back Zonovan Knight to practice squad"](https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/08/detroit-lions-add-kicker-michael-badgley-to-practice-squad-after-trade-rumors.html). *Michigan Live*. Retrieved August 30, 2023.

1. Ulrich, Logan (September 19, 2023). ["Lions Promoting RB Zonovan Knight To Active Roster"](https://nfltraderumors.co/lions-promoting-rb-zonovan-knight-to-active-roster/). *NFLTradeRumors.co*. Retrieved September 19, 2023.

1. ["Lions' Zonovan Knight: Moved to IR"](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/lions-zonovan-knight-moved-to-ir/). *CBSSports.com*. October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

1. ["Lions announce roster moves"](https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-announce-roster-moves-nfl-53-man). *DetroitLions.com*. August 27, 2024.

1. Greenberg, Ethan (November 26, 2024). ["Jets Sign RB Zonovan Knight and WR Easop Winston Jr. to Practice Squad"](https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-easop-winston-jr-and-bam-knight-practice-squad-11-26-2024). *NewYorkJets.com*

1. Gershman, Zach (January 7, 2025). ["Cardinals Ink Futures Deal With Four More Players"](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-ink-futures-deal-with-four-more-players). *AZCardinals.com*

1. Drake, Tyler (2025-12-16). ["Cardinals place RB Bam Knight on injured reserve"](https://arizonasports.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/rb-bam-knight-ir/3605808/). *Arizona Sports*. Retrieved 2025-12-17.

1. Gershman, Zach. ["Bam Knight, Starling Thomas V Agree To Return With Cardinals"](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/starling-thomas-v-bam-knight-agree-to-return-with-cardinals). *Azcardinals.com*. Retrieved 13 March 2026.

## External links

- [Arizona Cardinals bio](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/players-roster/bam-knight/)
- [NC State Wolfpack bio](https://gopack.com/sports/football/roster/zonovan-knight/10676)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bam Knight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bam_Knight) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bam_Knight?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.